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State News by State

See articles organized by topic. #

Nationwide #

  • Greater focus on crime sparks another wave of juvenile justice bills (Maryland Matters, 7/4/2024)
    • In response to a perceived rise in juvenile crime, states across the U.S. are introducing a wave of juvenile justice bills, with nearly every state considering some form of legislation. These bills range from creating alternatives to incarceration for teens to imposing harsher penalties for young offenders. Maryland, among others, has passed a law that extends the juvenile justice system to include 10-year-olds arrested for serious offenses, offering them diversion programs as an alternative to punishment. Advocates argue that prosecuting young offenders as minors and expanding diversion programs reduces recidivism and the risk of sexual assault in adult prisons.
  • Stable but Slowing: State Revenues Start to Squeeze Policy Ambitions (Governing, 7/5/2024)
    • After years of rapid growth, state revenues are now experiencing declines, leading to budget cuts and tough policy decisions. Florida and California, despite their economic health, have both had to reduce spending, with California facing a significant budget shortfall. The end of federal aid from the American Rescue Plan Act and the slowdown in inflation have contributed to this revenue squeeze. While most states still have healthy reserves, red states are grappling with the long-term costs of tax cuts and school voucher expansions, while blue states are considering tax increases to address budget gaps.

Alabama #

  • Low number of corrections officers in Alabama prisons cause for concern (Alabama Today, 2/24/2023)
    • The Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Finances and Budgets-General Fund met in Montgomery to oversee the state general fund agencies, focusing on the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC), which faces challenges with a shortage of corrections officers. ADOC Commissioner John Hamm addressed budget committees, requesting an additional $122.4 million in funding for the 2024 fiscal year to address personnel needs. Despite concerns about staffing shortages, progress has been noted, and ADOC is constructing new mega prisons, but the Department is also facing controversy over the awarding of the prison healthcare contract to YesCare amidst legal issues and a Department of Justice lawsuit over prison conditions.
  • Concerns grow about available engineering, contractor services for ARPA projects (Alabama Daily News, 10/6/2023)
    • Alabama plans to invest over $900 million in COVID-19 relief funds over the next three years for water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure projects. However, concerns are rising among state leaders about the availability of engineers and crews to complete these projects by the federal deadline of 2026, as other states and communities are also utilizing their federal funding. Lawmakers are questioning whether the state has the necessary professional resources and supplies to meet the deadlines, and there are discussions about potential reallocation of funds if projects cannot be completed on time.
  • Families describe assaults and deaths behind bars during hearing on Alabama prison conditions (News19, 7/25/2024)
    • Family members of inmates in Alabama prisons testified before the Joint Legislative Prison Committee, recounting incidents of violence, including stabbings and beatings, that resulted in deaths. They expressed frustration over the lack of protection for their loved ones and the systemic issues of understaffing, overcrowding, and rampant violence. The Alabama Department of Corrections has faced federal scrutiny and criticism for failing to improve conditions, with a researcher noting a high number of inmate deaths, including homicides, in the past year.

Alaska #

  • Three deaths in custody underscores urgent need for legislative oversight of Department of Corrections (Alaska Native News, 1/18/2024)
    • The Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC) reported three deaths of individuals in custody within four days. The deaths raise concerns about the DOC’s ability to ensure the well-being of those in its custody. The ACLU of Alaska, noting a record number of deaths in DOC custody in recent years, urges legislative oversight and accountability for the department’s practices as the legislature’s new session begins.

American Samoa #

  • Senate moves to reconstitute Senate Select Investigative Committee (Samoa News, 2/14/2022)
    • The American Samoa Senate is moving to reconstitute the Senate Select Investigative Committee (SSIC) to scrutinize government operations, financial conditions, and potential misconduct. The committee, chaired by Togiola T.A. Tulafono and vice-chaired by Magalei Logovi’i, is tasked with investigating unlawful actions, conflicts of interest, waste, fraud, abuse, and misappropriation of funds across all government departments, agencies, and enterprises, including the ASG-owned airplane’s operations. The SSIC is also mandated to adopt rules for its proceedings, conduct hearings, and subpoena witnesses and documents, aiming to expose and address financial mismanagement and corruption to restore public confidence.

Arizona #

  • Audit of Arizona MVD finds public safety, consumer issues (Arizona Daily Star, 8/26/2023)
    • A recent report reveals that private companies authorized by the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) to issue licenses might be granting state licenses to unqualified individuals. This raises concerns not only about road safety but also the potential for fraudulent documents to contribute to identity theft, terrorism, and other crimes. The audit further highlights issues with oversight by the MVD, indicating that some third-party providers failed to conduct necessary reviews of transactions, including issuing titles without proper documentation and not disclosing accurate odometer readings, potentially enabling fraud and vehicle-related crimes. The MVD acknowledges the findings and commits to implementing better oversight measures.
  • Arizona’s Independent Prison Oversight Commission says it’s ‘not well positioned’ for oversight (12 News, 1/2/2024)
    • Less than a year after Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs established the Independent Prison Oversight Commission (IPOC), a preliminary report reveals that the commission considers itself “not well positioned” for oversight work. The report, submitted on November 15, 2023, suggests that a volunteer commission is not the ideal framework for such oversight due to significant time requirements. The commission, formed in response to concerns about the Arizona Department of Corrections, recommends eliminating the expectation of oversight and transitioning into a Governor’s Advisory Council to collaborate on prison system issues in the short term, while long term oversight should be independent of the Governor’s office.
  • Arizona legislature puts measure on Nov. ballot that would establish REINS-style oversight of agency rulemaking (Ballotpedia News, 7/19/2024)
    • The Arizona State Legislature has placed a measure on the November ballot that would require legislative ratification for state agency rules estimated to increase regulatory costs by more than $500,000 over five years. This measure is modeled after the federal REINS Act and follows the legislature’s failed attempts to pass similar laws in 2023 and 2024, which were vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs. The Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity would be responsible for confirming the estimated regulatory cost of rules triggering legislative oversight.

Arkansas #

  • Legislative Joint Auditing Committee authorizes expedited review of lectern purchase by governor’s office (Arkansas Democrat Gazette, 10/14/2023)
    • The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee in Arkansas has approved an expedited review of the purchase of a $19,000 lectern by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ office. The decision, initiated by State Sen. Jimmy Hickey, follows public scrutiny after blogger Matt Campbell revealed the purchase on social media. The audit will investigate the transaction and also review expenditures by the governor’s office made confidential under a recent legislative act.

California #

  • California bill would reform ‘failing’ system serving adults and kids with disabilities (Sacramento Bee, 2/24/2023)
    • California’s 1977 law requires state to provide services to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, but recent reports, audits, and public hearings have revealed “racial disparities, inadequate oversight and limited accountability.”
  • As opioid death keep rising, report urges lawmakers to develop new approaches (Route-Fifty, 3/20/2023)
    • A new 700-page, nonpartisan RAND report suggests nine action points for lawmakers to address the opioid crisis, including addressing stigma, reducing the fatality of overdoses, viewing opioids as an “ecosystem,” and increasing access to effective treatment.
  • California lawmakers want to know why billions in spending isn’t reducing homelessness (CalMatters, 4/17/2023)
    • A bipartisan group of California legislators is calling for a large-scale audit of the state’s homelessness spending to investigate why the crisis continues to worsen despite significant investments. The state has allocated $20.6 billion toward housing and homelessness since 2018-19, yet the number of unhoused people has increased by nearly a third during that time. The audit, approved unanimously in the legislative audit committee, will analyze multiple state homelessness programs, focusing on questions of cost-effectiveness and spending accountability in San Jose and another city yet to be determined.
  • California is not collecting enough data about LGBTQ+ health, audit finds (capradio, 4/28/2023)
    • A recent audit in California reveals that the state is missing opportunities to collect and utilize data on LGBTQ+ health. Only a small number of forms distributed by the California Department of Public Health include questions about sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). Inconsistent reporting and collection hinder the department’s ability to address health disparities among the LGBTQ+ population, limiting the effectiveness of health interventions and efforts to humanize patients.
  • Report: CSU system failed to investigate most sexual harassment reports or track offenders, auditor finds (The Press Democrat, 7/14/2023)
    • A confidential draft report by the California state auditor’s office reveals numerous problems and inconsistencies in sexual harassment investigations across California State University (CSU) campuses. The report criticizes the chancellor’s office for not providing campuses with detailed guidelines to address allegations against employees. The audit, approved last year by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, found that a majority of sexual harassment reports against CSU employees were never formally investigated, with shoddy data collection preventing tracking of repeat offenders.
  • Auditor faults California regulators for failing to monitor utility rates and hikes (Courthouse News Service, 8/29/2023)
    • California’s state auditor has criticized the California Public Utilities Commission and the Public Advocates Office for inadequate monitoring of utility companies and lack of transparency in explaining unprecedented utility rate hikes. The audit reveals that California has some of the highest utility rates, with recent electricity and natural gas rate increases attributed to factors like wildfire mitigation, solar power adoption, geopolitical events, and higher transmission costs. The auditor calls for improved processes to verify utility costs, increased transparency in rate change authorizations, and better oversight to ensure that utilities complete projects as reported in cost recovery applications.
  • Auditor ‘concerned’ with CA regulators’ monitoring of energy rate hikes (Fox 5 San Diego, 9/1/2023)
    • An audit of California’s state oversight of rate increases at San Diego Gas & Electric and three other investor-owned utility companies has raised concerns about the approval process for changes to customers’ bills. The audit discovered gaps in monitoring of utility costs, potentially leading to unnecessary rate increases. The state regulators were found lacking in safeguards to ensure that the utilities’ projected costs were not overstated, thereby resulting in undue changes, and there was no mechanism to check that utilities completed projects for which rates were raised.
  • LAO recommends more spending transparency for county offices of education (EDSource, 3/14/2024)
    • The Legislative Analyst’s Office is recommending increased spending transparency for county offices of education, suggesting annual reports summarizing activities and spending breakdowns to enhance accountability. With a broad range of responsibilities, county offices oversee various programs, including court schools and academic assistance for struggling student groups. Recommendations include establishing outcome metrics for county-run schools and comprehensive expenditure reports for improved public visibility and oversight.
  • California audit finds little oversight in state program to fund roadway projects (Fox5 San Diego, 4/4/2024)
    • The California State Auditor’s report highlighted a lack of oversight in the state program funding roadway projects, revealing issues with ensuring cities and counties use funds appropriately. The audit focused on the “Local Streets and Roads Program,” established by Senate Bill 1, which raised taxes for transportation projects due to significant funding shortfalls. The audit found that the State Controller did not enforce compliance with spending requirements, potentially allowing localities to neglect their responsibility for road maintenance.
  • California auditor probes favoritism, corruption in marijuana permitting (Green Market Report, 4/8/2024)
    • The California state auditor’s report highlighted deficiencies in marijuana permitting processes in six localities, pointing out issues of favoritism and corruption. The analysis focused on cities like Fresno, Sacramento, San Diego, and counties such as Monterey and Santa Barbara. Recommendations included implementing blind scoring for permit applications, establishing appeals processes, requiring impartiality statements, and enhancing background check systems to improve fairness and transparency in future cannabis permitting.
  • California fails to track its homelessness spending or results, a new audit says (CalMatters, 4/9/2024)
    • A recent audit in California revealed a lack of tracking and transparency in homelessness spending and outcomes, raising concerns about program effectiveness. Key programs lack sufficient data for assessment, highlighting a significant data gap in understanding the impact of state initiatives. The audit calls for improved transparency and accountability in state spending to address the homelessness crisis.
  • Why are California workers waiting so long on wage theft claims? A new audit has answers (CalMatters, 5/30/2024)
    • A significant audit reveals that the California Labor Commissioner’s Office, tasked with enforcing labor laws and combating wage theft, has been underperforming, with auditors finding that it failed to collect millions of dollars in penalties and unpaid wages owed to workers, and that its operations are hampered by outdated technology and insufficient staffing.
  • Assemblymember Hart to Lead Oversight Hearing on Wage Theft (edhat, 6/18/2024)
    • The Joint Legislative Audit Committee will hold an oversight hearing on wage theft, focusing on the state’s efforts to combat the issue and protect workers’ rights. The hearing aims to examine the effectiveness of the Labor Commissioner’s Office in enforcing wage laws and to discuss potential improvements in the state’s approach to wage theft. It is part of a broader effort to ensure that workers receive fair compensation and to hold employers accountable for labor violations.
  • UCSC reported inaccurate crime statistics, state auditor’s report finds (Lookout Santa Cruz, 8/2/2024)
    • The California State Auditor’s office reviewed six higher education institutions, including UC Santa Cruz, for compliance with federal crime reporting requirements under the Clery Act. It found that UCSC underreported 33 crimes, including serious offenses like domestic battery and rape, in its 2022 statistics to the U.S. Department of Education. The audit revealed that UCSC and four other universities had inaccurate crime statistics due to a lack of written procedures for accurate reporting. UCSC attributed the errors to turnover in the Clery coordinator position and the absence of guidance for an interim coordinator. The State Auditor recommended periodic reviews of all institutions subject to the Clery Act and online publication of results. UCSC has acknowledged the findings and is working to improve transparency and compliance with the Clery Act.

Colorado #

  • Colorado lawmakers consider bill that would implement statewide jail standards (Denver7, 1/23/2023)
    • Colorado lawmakers are considering House Bill 24-1054, aimed at making state jails safer by implementing a basic set of standards as recommended by the Legislative Oversight Committee for Colorado Jail Standards. The bill follows a troubling trend of in-custody deaths in Colorado. Supporters argue that the proposed standards, covering areas such as food service, visitor policies, and staff training, will create a safer environment for both inmates and jail staff, addressing concerns about mental health and suicide prevention.
  • Colorado legislative committee to examine behavioral health in criminal justice system (The Denver Gazette, 7/22/2024)
    • In the upcoming legislative session, Colorado will focus on improving mental health support within its criminal justice system, with a six-member oversight committee and a 31-member task force aiming to introduce five new bills in 2025. These bills will address various issues, including oversight of youth offender case management, pre-trial deflection programs, extending hospital stays for mental health patients, and revising the not guilty by reason of insanity plea. The committee has previously proposed significant funding for a crisis response system within the Behavioral Health Administration and is set to continue its work towards comprehensive reforms.
  • Alarming reports about PERA’s finances spark questions about future of the state’s pension (The Colorado Sun, 7/30/2024)
    • The Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) is facing scrutiny over its finances, with an independent review suggesting the pension fund may be underestimating its financial problems by billions of dollars. In response, a legislative oversight panel is considering recommending further reforms to the pension system, which serves over 700,000 current and former public sector workers. PERA’s advisors have disputed the review’s findings, but the pension’s own analyses acknowledge a significant risk of financial setback in 2025, which could lead to more benefit cuts and contribution increases. The panel is expected to draft a letter to the Pension Review Commission to propose potential actions to address the pension’s financial security.
  • Legislators looking to offer better breaks on business personal property tax (The Sum & Substance, 8/16/2024)
    • Members of Colorado’s Legislative Oversight Committee Concerning Tax Policy are reviewing the state auditor’s report which found that the business personal property tax credit is underutilized, with less than 1% of eligible businesses taking advantage of it. In response, they are considering reforms to expand the credit’s reach, such as raising the exemption threshold or simplifying the application process. The goal is to provide more effective tax relief while addressing the concerns highlighted in the audit.

Connecticut #

  • Legislative committees to hold hearing on state police ticket audit (CT News Junkie, 7/19/2023)
    • Two legislative committees in Connecticut have scheduled a hearing to question State Police officials regarding an audit that revealed potential falsification of tens of thousands of traffic records submitted to a state panel on racial profiling trends. The audit, covering data from 2014 to 2021, found over 25,000 instances where troopers reported issuing tickets with no corresponding records in the state Centralized Infractions Bureau. Lawmakers plan to discuss a possible legislative response to the findings and explore solutions to ensure equitable treatment for all Connecticut drivers. The audit’s release was prompted by a media report investigating troopers’ falsification of traffic ticket records in 2018. While the audit did not determine intent, it highlighted systemic misreporting of infractions, which distorted efforts to identify racial profiling trends.
  • State Agriculture Department failed to post over 100 meetings, audit finds (CT Examiner, 8/14/2023)
    • A state audit report revealed that the Connecticut Department of Agriculture failed to post required notices for more than 100 meetings of its boards and commissions in the past four years. Although the department claims to have rectified the issue since January 1, the audit also highlighted the absence of meeting minutes for five boards, councils, and working groups, with questions arising about their activity and compliance with state law. The audit emphasized the need for administrative oversight to ensure adherence to Freedom of Information Act requirements and suggested legislative changes if statutes are deemed impractical or outdated.
  • State subcommittee strives to support girls in juvenile justice system (Yale Daily News, 9/5/2024)
    • A Connecticut state subcommittee is working to improve support for girls in the juvenile justice system, focusing on victims of sex trafficking and abuse. The group aims to create gender-responsive policies and enhance data collection, but some criticize the narrow focus on girls, noting that male trafficking survivors are often overlooked. The committee’s work will inform future legislative recommendations on trauma-informed care for youth in the justice system.

Delaware #

  • Initiatives Seek to Give Delaware Citizens a Voice in One-Sided Rulemaking Process (WGMD, 1/10/2024)
    • Three bills are set to be presented to the Delaware General Assembly, aiming to curb the unrestrained rulemaking authority of the executive branch. State Rep. Rich Collins, the lead sponsor of House Bill 245, emphasizes the need for safeguards, citing the executive branch’s lack of responsiveness during the recent pandemic. Another bill by State Rep. Jeff Spiegelman proposes the creation of a Joint Committee on Oversight of Agency Regulations to review and oversee state agency regulations, addressing concerns about public input’s limited impact on the regulatory process.
  • How much did nonprofits receive in opioid grants? Delaware auditor creates live tracker (Delaware Online, 8/15/2024)
    • Delaware State Auditor Lydia York’s office has launched a new online tracker that monitors the distribution of funds from opioid settlement agreements. This tool provides transparency by detailing how much money has been allocated to nonprofits and other entities across the state to combat the opioid crisis. The Prescription Opioid Settlement Tracker allows the public to see which organizations received grants and how these funds are being used to support treatment, prevention, and recovery efforts.

District of Columbia #

  • D.C.’s traffic safety strategy lacked funding, oversight, audit finds (The Washington Post, 3/16/2023)
    • A recent audit by the D.C. Auditor shows that Washington D.C.’s Vision Zero initiative, aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities by 2024, has fallen short of its goals. Despite efforts, traffic deaths have increased since its launch in 2015, with issues such as insufficient funding, lack of proper infrastructure, and limited oversight hindering progress. The report highlights the challenges and gaps in the program, emphasizing the need for stronger measures to reduce fatalities on the city’s streets​.
  • After Delay, D.C. Council Conducts Hearing on Chronic Absenteeism (The Washington Informer, 12/13/2023)
    • The D.C. Council’s Committee of the Whole held a public hearing on chronic absenteeism, a significant concern for parents, educators, and officials due to its link with juvenile crime. The hearing aimed to address the root causes of students’ absenteeism and to develop strategies to improve attendance. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach that avoids criminalizing absenteeism while recognizing its correlation with juvenile delinquency. Witnesses, including educators and parents, testified about the importance of out-of-school programming, the need for better training for Safe Passage workers, and the detrimental effects of punitive measures on chronically absent students. They also highlighted successful strategies such as building community, assigning adult champions to monitor attendance, and providing transportation to improve attendance rates.
  • DC Council committee holds oversight hearing on District’s troubled 911 center (ABC7, 2/8/2024)
    • The D.C. Council’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety held an oversight hearing to scrutinize the performance of the District’s Office of Unified Communications (OUC) and its 911 call center, which has been plagued by persistent issues. The hearing revealed ongoing concerns such as delayed response times, incorrect addresses, unanswered calls, and a lack of transparency regarding mistakes. Committee Chair Brooke Pinto highlighted the trust issue between the public and OUC, while OUC Director Heather McGaffin expressed her commitment to transparency.
  • D.C. reviewing violence-intervention contracts after Trayon White’s arrest (The Washington Post, 8/30/2024)
    • D.C. Councilmember Trayon White is under both federal and D.C. Council investigations for alleged bribery. After his arrest, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson stripped White of his chairmanship and initiated anad hoc committee, which will examine White’s involvement in securing contracts for violence interruption services in exchange for cash payments​. If convicted, White could face up to 15 years in prison.

Florida #

  • Florida foster kids are given powerful medications, but Feds find state oversight lacking (KFF Health News, 9/27/2023)
    • A federal audit has revealed significant issues in Florida’s child welfare system regarding the prescription and monitoring of psychotropic and opioid medications for foster children. The audit found lax record-keeping, missing authorization paperwork, and incomplete case files in a random selection of 115 children. Over 2,200 foster children, including 73 aged 5 or younger, in Florida are prescribed mental health medications, but in nearly half the cases, there were no records of the prescribed medications in the state’s primary case management system. The lack of oversight raises concerns about potential health and safety risks for these vulnerable children.

Georgia #

  • State auditor finds Georgia’s education programs for gifted students need improvement (The Current, 8/12/2023)
    • Georgia’s program for gifted students faces challenges including large class sizes, inadequate teacher training, and issues with student selection, as per a report from the state auditor’s office. Despite a ratio of 12 students per teacher, over 77% of gifted classes exceed this limit, impacting individualized instruction. The state has spent between 30% to 68% more on each gifted student, but potential benefits aren’t fully realized due to these problems. The report suggests adjustments to funding, reviewing class sizes, and improving differentiation in teaching methods, while also noting disparities in student selection and instruction processes.

Guam #

  • GMH administrator walks out of oversight hearing, amid hospital ‘crisis’: $26M debt, molds (Pacific Daily News, 9/28/2023)
    • Lillian Perez-Posadas, Administrator of the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority, told the House Health Committee that she would resign and then walked out of an oversight hearing. The committee previously heard testimony from concerned employees about dangerous conditions of the hospital following a recent typhoon, flooding, and the COVID pandemic.
  • Oversight hearing: From molds to school violence (Pacific Daily News, 11/2/2023)
    • During a legislative oversight hearing on Guam’s public schools, Education Superintendent Erik Swanson reassured senators that students are safe within the school environments despite issues such as mold and violence on campuses. Senator Chris Barnett expressed frustration over the barriers to students’ education, including dilapidated classrooms, and emphasized the need to focus on academics and student success instead. Swanson highlighted the significant funding required for major school projects, including roof repairs and refurbishing athletic facilities, while addressing concerns about school violence through educational initiatives and presentations by the Guam Police Department.

Hawaii #

  • Neal Milner: When Legislative Oversight Actually Works (Hawaii Civil Beat, 2/8/2024)
    • The article highlights the significant issue in Hawaii’s government—the persistent gap between the intended actions of state agencies and the actual execution of those plans. Legislative hearings, exemplified by the recent session with Kali Watson, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands director, are portrayed as a potential solution to address this problem. The success of such hearings relies on a positive reputation of the agency, support from key stakeholders, and a conducive environment for ongoing monitoring and follow-up, offering a glimmer of hope